US7639511B2 - Adjustable attachment for electronic assemblies - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and method used for connecting surfaces to one another is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises of a mounting body with a front and a back portion. The front portion includes an opening that is aligned with another opening of a block, fixably attached to this front portion. The openings of the block and/or front section can include internal threading. A threaded insert is then placed inside the block such that the insert can move from a first position to a second position using threading movement.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for affixing a plurality of surfaces to one another, using an adjustable attachment and more particularly to a method and apparatus affixing surfaces in a computing environment to one another using an adjustable attachments.

2. Description of Background

Large computing system environments are often comprised of a cage like frame or rack, with a plurality of insertable nodes that are plugged into this frame. The nodes often include a variety of electronic components, such as daughter cards, processors and other such components. The frame often consists of a plurality of vertically extending supports that interconnect two or more horizontal rails. Side and rear and/or front structural surfaces can also be optionally added to enhance structural rigidity or to accommodate the thermal interface subassemblies used to cool the computing system environment.

In order to insert the nodes containing electronic components are inserted into the frame, the frame is often provided with mating interconnects that receive these nodes. After they are plugged into their mating interconnects, the nodes are then fixed, latched or mounted into a position using a number mounting devices to prevent relative movement. Operational vibration and shock as some examples, make it a necessity that these assemblies are mounted to avoid a number of issues such as potential functional problems such as intermittent due to connection wear.

The ability to rigidly attach these nodes once they are plugged or placed into their mating interconnects and final position, becomes a function of the substructures node tolerance as well as the tolerance of the frame and the ability to rigidly span that tolerance with a sufficiently rigid member. It is undesirable to design mounting apparatus that delivers loading or stresses to the interconnect system as it not only affect the structural integrity of the computing environment and may potentially even lead to performance problems. Similarly, any design that leads to unbalanced loading of the frame and substructure is also undesirable for similar reasons.

A number of solutions are provided in the prior art to provide a viable mounting apparatus. These include a variety of designs implementing springs and other elastic means as part of their incorporated solution.

However, these solutions do not always provide the necessary mounting rigidity that can make the nodes immune to vibrations and shipping shock, among other things.

One particular challenge stems from tolerance buildup. In one measured case, where experimental data was collected, the implementation of prior art led to a case where the tolerance buildup was as much as 2.2 and there was a gap between the mounting bracket (of a node) and the frame (central electronic complex—CEC) caged frame on account of this tolerance buildup. The torque value in this instance was also measured to be in the general area of 15 in/lbs. In such situations and as a result of relatively low clamping force between the node and the cage, the node can move in the direction perpendicular to the node (side to side) when subjected to shipping shock and vibration.

Consequently, it is desirable to provide to provide a design that provide a solution to the problem of proper mounting of such nodes especially in view of large insertion forces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the apparatus and method used for connecting surfaces to one another is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises of a mounting body with a front and a back portion. The front portion includes an opening that is aligned with another opening of a block, fixably attached to this front portion. The openings of the block and/or front section can include internal threading. A threaded insert is then placed inside the block such that the insert can move from a first position to a second position using threading movement. In alternate embodiments, a drive component can then be placed inside the insert to fixably connect the apparatus to mounting surfaces.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention. For a better understanding of the invention with advantages and features, refer to the description and to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a computing system environment having a frame or housing;

FIG. 2 is schematic illustration of a node used in the computing system of environment ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a more detailed example of a schematic illustration of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 showing at least one node being inserted;

FIGS. 4aand4bare illustrations of a mounting body as used in one embodiment of present invention and viewed from different angles;

FIGS. 5aand5bare illustration of a threaded insert to be used in conjunction with the mounting body ofFIGS. 4aand4band shown at different viewing angles; and

FIGS. 7 and 8 are illustration of an assembled apparatus as per one embodiment of the present invention and shown at different viewing angles.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 through 3 are illustrations of a large computing system frame having a plurality of nodes. The nodes may include a variety of boards and in general house electronic components.FIG. 1 is an illustration of such a computing environment.FIG. 1 provides a frontal view of a central electronic complex (CEC)100, often included in such large computing environments.

In the illustration ofFIG. 1, a housing or frame is shown as denoted bynumerals110. Theframe110 is rather cage like in structure, having a plurality of vertical supports connecting a plurality of substantially horizontal surfaces, such as top and bottom surfaces, to one another. As shown in the illustration ofFIG. 1, anode120 is shown just before being inserted into thehousing110. In the example ofFIG. 1, theframe110 is structured to support up to fournodes120 alongside one another. While this is a common arrangement in many large servers, it is only provided as an example and other arrangements having more or less notes that are placed side by side or stacked on top of one another is conceivable. The workings of the present invention is applicable to all such embodiments and should not be limited to the illustrated example.

In addition,FIG. 1 also illustrates several other components such as such as EMC covers132 and134 andnode fillers140. Although illustratively provided, these components are not necessary for the present discussion and are only shown as a matter of example.

FIG. 2 provides a more detailed view of such anode120, as was discussed in conjunction withFIG. 1. InFIG. 2, some of the boards housing the electronic components are also illustrated as referenced bynumerals200.

Looking atFIGS. 1 and 2 in conjunction with one another, thenodes120 have to be inserted securely inside thehousing frame100 ofFIG. 1. In some embodiments,mating interconnects300 as illustrated inFIG. 3, are provided to facilitate this task. Themating interconnects300 may be used to help guide thenodes120 into thehousing frame110. It is not sufficient, however, just to insert thenodes120 in the allotted slots or locations on thehousing frame110. Once assembled, theframe110 and the insertednodes120 must be able to withstand vibration and shipping shocks. These forces can be great at times, leading to electrical disconnects and shorts which can cause some major problems. These problems can range from the more obvious system non-performance issues at one end of the spectrum to structural integrity issues at the other end.

One way to secure the nodes would be to provide mounting apparatus such as brackets on different surfaces of thenodes120. The problem with this approach is multifold. For one, many mounting apparatus include plastic parts or are entirely made out of plastic. This is undesired since in many instances metal to metal contact is necessary for continued excellence in performance. Non-metal parts also suffer from structural integrity problems and may easily break or become unattached during high system vibrations.

FIGS. 4 through 7 provide an embodiment of the present invention that specially addresses this need. Before a more detailed discussion about this embodiment is made, however, it should be noted that while the present discussion concentrates specifically on the problems left unresolved by the prior art, the workings of the present invention is not limited to providing a solution to these problems. Present invention can be applied to a variety of scenarios where such design provides advantages. Similarly, the following discussion are provided by use of examples that are used in large computing environments. The use of the present invention, however, should not be limited to this field as the following examples are only provided for ease of understanding.

Referring back toFIGS. 4 through 7, animproved mounting apparatus400 is shown from different angles. This mountingapparatus400 as will be discussed in more detail below, is both adjustable and able to withstand large tolerance buildups. It also has the advantage of providing a perfect connection, no matter how the node is inserted. This is a great advantage in servicing situations or even during the assembly of large computing environments.

During servicing or installation ofnodes120, thenodes120 have to be pulled out and reinserted in difficult situations. Weight of the node, height of the frame and a variety of other physical conditions make the securing of these nodes, especially after their insertion into the frame difficult in that a good metal to metal contact may not be formed due to above mentioned difficulties (inserted at slightly wrong angle etc.) One of the many advantages provided by the present invention is that the mounting apparatus of the present invention allows for such insertion difficulties and regardless of how thenode120 is inserted ensures that good mechanical and electrical contacts are established every time.

Another advantage provided by the mounting apparatus of the present invention is that not only the design is not compact but also achievable at very little cost. Delivering such maximum performance in a minimum footprint is especially advantageous in the context of computing system environments. The industry trend, in this area, has been to continuously increase the number of electronic components inside the computing system environments. At the same time there is a push to decrease the overall size of the system environment as a whole. Given the increased number of the components in a shrinking footprint, there is always an advantage to provide solutions that take these issues in consideration.

Referring back toFIGS. 4aand4b, the mountingapparatus400 is shown at two different angles.FIG. 4aprovides a preferred embodiment where the mountingapparatus400 is illustrated as abracket400.FIG. 4bprovides thesame bracket400 but rotated to enable better viewing of the back section of thebracket400.

Thebracket body410 can be of any shape. In one embodiment, brackets that are already available and cost effective can be used with added features as per the workings of the present invention to accommodate different components of the mountingapparatus400 as will be discussed below.

In one embodiment, as provided in the illustration ofFIGS. 4aand4b, thebracket body410 is almost cage like and comprises of a plurality of front and back sections, respectively referenced as420 and430 that are supported bysidewalls412 and414.

Thefront portion420 as illustrated has anopening422. Theback section430 can be formed in any shape. The shape of theback section430 can be selectively changed to provide better rigidity or fixability to one or more surfaces.

Side support surfaces such assidewalls412 and414 can also have alternative designs. In one embodiment as provided inFIGS. 4aand4b,sidewall412 is longer and extends backwards further than the back section and providing almost a tail section.Shorter sidewall414 can extend somewhat forward, even further than thefront opening422. Both sidewall sections may comprise one or more apertures to aid the bracket's mounting to one or more surfaces subsequently. These apertures are illustrated in the example ofFIGS. 4aand4band referenced generally bynumerals402 and404 respectively. The mountingapparatus400, or in thiscase bracket400, is comprised in one embodiment of metal or metal compounds.

Ablock450 is fixably attached to thefront section420 in front of theopening422. Theblock450 also comprises anopening452 which aligns with theopening422 of theblock front section420. In one embodiment of the present invention, theblock450 and itsopening452 comprise a certain thickness so as to provide threading inside this thickness (in anticipation of receiving a threaded cylinder, not illustrated here, but that will be discussed in conjunction with subsequent figures). In this embodiment, theblock450 can be herein referred to as the internal threadedblock450. The bracket'sfront opening422 can also be threaded in one embodiment and aligned with the block's opening in this respect.

In a preferred embodiment, thebracket400 and theblock450 is comprised of metal or metal compounds. In one embodiment, theblock450 is permanently affixed to thebracket400 by means known to those skilled in the art. For example, theblock450 can be permanently welded to thebracket400 in one embodiment.

FIGS. 5aand5bprovide illustrations of aninsert500 as per one embodiment of the present invention. Theinsert500 is formed to be inserted or received by block/bracket opening422/452. In one embodiment, the insert is hollow and has external threading aligned with the treading in theopenings422/452 so that it can facilitate threading of the insert such as from a first to a second position. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in the example ofFIGS. 5aand5b, the insert is shaped as an externally threadedcylinder500.

FIG. 5aprovides a top view of thecylinder500. Thecylinder500, in one embodiment, is also hollow inside. The external threading of thecylinder500 that is generally illustrated inFIG. 5aby areas referenced as510. In the embodiment where thecylinder500 hasexternal threading510, the external threading of thecylinder500 is formed such that this threading can complement the threading of theblock450.

As discussed earlier, thecylinder510 is to be threaded (inserted) inside the aligned openings (422 and452) of thebracket500 and the threadedblock450 such that it can move from a first position to a second position as desired through this threading movement, and possibly in such that the length of the cylinder facing the back of the bracket (430) when inserted inside can vary according to the amount of threading.

Thecylinder500 is preferably also formed of metal and/or metal compounds in one embodiment of the present invention and can even include internal threading in some embodiments.

FIG. 5bprovides an isometric cross-sectional view of thecylinder500 ofFIG. 5a. In this embodiment, as shown, thecylinder500 comprises of arim510. Therim510 can be of a certain thickness and shaped around thehollow center520, such as to allow cuts that are subsequently used to provide dimensional tolerance. In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 5b, a plurality of side openings, shown asslits552 in the figures, are cut inside therim550 and around thehollow center520.

In one embodiment as illustrated, theslits552 are cut along a diameter of thecylinder500 as shown. There are two evenly spaced and shaped slits, generally both referenced bynumerals552. These slits are evenly spaced around thehollow center520 along the diameter line such that an opening diameter line is produced when theslits552 are viewed alongside thehollow center520. In one embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 5b, theslits552 are formed deep into therim510 such that they also are of a certain thickness.

In one embodiment, as illustrated, theslits552 are placed at least on a top or bottom side of the cylinder and when threaded will face inwards as per one embodiment of the invention (seeFIGS. 6 and 7). The function of theslits552 alongside with thehollow center520, as will be discussed in detail later, is to allow for some movement or flotation after the bracket is fixed in its permanent position. This would lead to a three dimensional tolerance as was earlier mentioned.

FIGS. 6 and 7 each provide different views of thebracket400 including thecylinder500 after its insertion in thebracket400.FIG. 6 provides a side view of thebracket400. After being threaded inside theblock450, the threadedcylinder500 is visible inwards in thebracket400. It could be said that a back section of the threadedcylinder500 is visible in this embodiment. Thethreads510 are also better visible in this side view.

FIG. 7 provides an isometric view of thecylinder500 after its insertion inblock450. In this view the hollow center of thecylinder520 is visible through theblock opening452. Again the cylinder is shown after threaded inside theblock450. The isometric view allows not only the frontal view of theblock400 to be visible, but also the threading of thecylinder510 is visible also visible inwards on what can be called the back section of thecylinder500 in this view. One of the plurality of slits discussed in conjunction with the embodiment ofFIG. 5bis also visible in this section and is appropriately referenced bynumerals552. As noted before, theslits552 are placed inside the bracket and are formed on what can be considered the back section of thecylinder500 as discussed above.

Thebracket400 can be affixed to any of the plurality of surfaces that requires affixing. Although not illustrated here (seeFIG. 8 for illustration of the insertion component800) and not part of the bracket, but an insertion component can then be inserted inside the threadedcylinder500 that has been inserted into theblock450 to finalize affixation of the bracket. The insertion component can be comprised of a variety of such components as known to those skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the insertion component is a threaded metal screw. The length of the threaded metal screw has to be sufficiently long to pass through and provide bracket affixation to the surface.

Other drive components can be also used. In one embodiment threading to match an internal threading of the cylinder, in embodiments that includes it, can also be provided.

FIG. 8 shows a cross sectional embodiment of the present after thebracket450 has been affixed to a surface. InFIG. 8, an already existing receiving hole such as the one provided on a computer frame is shown. The bracket can then by mounted on the node or on other surfaces, such that as shown when these plurality of surfaces are placed together, the gap can be closed providing for an adjustable solution that provides a metal to metal contact supporting high clamping forces. Once the screw800 is inserted, the bracket as assembled also provides ease of floatation through the self positioning and self alignment provided by theslits552 as discussed. This provides an all directional tolerance for the device as a whole.

While the preferred embodiment to the invention has been described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the future, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall within the scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construed to maintain the proper protection for the invention first described.

Claims (17)

1. An apparatus comprising:

a mounting body having a front portion with an opening;

a block fixably attached to said mounting body front, said block also having an internally threaded opening such that said mounting body and said block's opening align when fixably attached to one another;

an insert having external threading, inserted inside said block such that it can be moved from a first to a second position by threading it;

wherein said threaded insert is hollow; and

wherein said threaded insert includes one or more apertures to allow self positioning and dimensional tolerance after attachment other surfaces.

2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said apertures are places on a first side of said threaded insert such that when said threaded insert is disposed inside said block, said apertures face internally towards a back portion of said mounting body.

3. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein said mounting body has a plurality of vertical supports that connect said front and back portions to one another.

4. The apparatus ofclaim 3, wherein said threaded insert is a hollow cylinder.

5. The apparatus ofclaim 4, wherein said threaded insert has a rim of a certain thickness around its hollow center.

6. The apparatus ofclaim 5, wherein a plurality of slits are provided on said rim across said cylinder's diameter to provide for self positioning and dimensional tolerance.

7. The apparatus ofclaim 6, wherein said apparatus is comprised of metal or metal compounds.

8. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein a drive component is placed inside said hollow cylinder to secure said apparatus to mounting surface(s).

9. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein said drive component is also threaded.

10. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein said hollow cylinder is both internally and externally threaded to align with threading of said block and said drive component.

11. The apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein said drive component is a screw.

12. The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein said screw is also comprised of metal or metal components.

13. The apparatus ofclaim 12, wherein said slits are provided on a first side of said cylinder such that when said cylinder is inserted in said block, said slits face internally toward said back of said apparatus body.

14. The apparatus ofclaim 13, wherein said apparatus is used to fixably attach a node to a housing frame in a computing system environment.

15. The apparatus ofclaim 14, wherein said apparatus body is further comprised of a bracket.

16. An apparatus for fixably connect a first surface to a second surface comprising:

a bracket having a back and a front section connected to one another by a plurality of side section supports and said front section having an opening;

a block having an internally threaded opening fixably connected to said front section of said bracket such that said internally threaded opening of said block aligns with said bracket's opening;

a hollow cylinder having external threading aligned with said bracket's opening threaded inside said block's opening such that said cylinder can be moved from a first to a second position using threading motion;

said hollow cylinder having a rim around said hollow center with a plurality of slits formed on a diameter line of said cylinder disposed at least on a top or bottom surface such that when said cylinder is inserted in said block, said slits face said back section of said bracket;

a driving screw capable of being inserted inside said bracket formed to fixably attach said bracket including said block and said threaded cylinder to mounting surfaces.

17. A mounting method comprising:

forming a mounting body having a front and a back section, said front section having an opening;

fixably connecting a block having an internally threaded opening to said front section of said mounting body such that said opening of said block and said mounting body align;

threading a hollow cylinder with external threading inside said block's internal threaded opening such that a plurality of slits cut across a diameter of said cylinder's rim face internally towards said back section of said mounting body;

inserting a drive component inside said hollow cylinder to affix said bracket including said block and said cylinder to mounting surfaces.

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